Roberto Carlos celebrates winning the Champions League with Real Madrid in 1998

Roberto Carlos said: “I repudiate vehemently the irresponsible accusations made by the German network ARD and affirm that I have never used any artifice to allow me to have any advantage over my colleagues in the playing field.

“The story quotes the name of a doctor who I have never known in my life and my lawyers have already been called to start legal proceedings.

“We’ll ask them to prove, in front of a judge and the public, these accusations.

“At the same time, the story states, in an extremely vague way, that I was ‘seen’ at this Doctor’s clinic in July of 2002, period of which I returned to Brazil after winning the World Cup, headed to Brasilia to participate of the ceremonies and, shortly after, went back to Madrid, in Spain, with no passage through Piracicaba.

“In addition, the story does not reproduce any evidence of my alleged involvement with the case.

“During my career, I have always defended the fairness and loyalty of the game.

“These false accusations against me are the complete opposite of what I believe. In more than 20 years as a professional player, I never tested positive to any prohibited substance.”

Brazil knocked England’s ‘golden generation’ out of the tournament after Ronaldinho’s audacious lob caught out David Seaman.

Michael Owen had given Sven Goran Eriksson’s side an early lead in Japan, but Rivaldo equalised just before half time and then then Paris Saint-Germain ace gave Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side the win.

Brazil went on to beat Germany in the final with Ronaldo grabbing both goals in a 2-0 victory.

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